CN104488297A - Controlled discovery - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program products for discovery of nearby devices. To facilitate discovery of nearby, i.e. proximal, devices, a discovery control signal from a control device may be used to control the discovery, e.g. how or when the discovery is carried out. The devices may send proximity information based on the discovery they have carried out to be used by the control device or the control system. The control device, e.g. a server, may form the discovery control signal based on this proximity information. A proximity graph may be used in determining how the discovery is controlled. Controlling discovery by the devices may e.g. be done to avoid discovery collisions or to save energy.

Description

controlled discovery

Background technique

As the capabilities of portable computers and communication devices have grown, new ways of collaborating have become possible. For example, instead of sending information from one device to another via a mobile communication network, devices can communicate directly from device to device, or send information to each other using a local network such as a WLAN. Users of these devices are thus able to work together using such device-to-device communications. To be able to do this, these devices need to be connected to each other via a communication channel.

Therefore, there is a need for a solution that provides an efficient way to connect devices in the proximity of a user device.

Contents of the invention

An improved method and technical equipment for implementing the improved method have now been invented, by which the above challenges are alleviated. Various aspects of the invention comprise: methods, apparatus, systems and computer program products including computer programs, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

To facilitate the discovery of nearby (ie, proximity) devices, a discovery control signal from the control device may be used to control the discovery, eg, how or when the discovery is performed. These devices may send proximity information to be used by the control device or control system based on the discovery they have performed. The control device, eg a server, may form the discovery control signal based on this proximity information. The proximity map can be used in determining how to control this discovery. For example, controlling the discovery performed by these devices may be implemented to avoid discovery conflicts or to save energy.

According to a first aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving a discovery control signal from a control device, and performing neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal.

According to one embodiment, the method includes: sending proximity information of discovered neighboring devices to the control device, where the control device is configured to create the discovery control signal based on the proximity information.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method, the method comprising: forming a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices, and sending the discovery control signal to a first device.

According to an embodiment of the first or second aspect, the method includes: receiving proximity information of a discovered neighboring device, and forming the discovery control signal based on the proximity information. According to an embodiment, the method comprises forming a proximity map using the proximity information, and forming the discovery control signal using the proximity map. According to one embodiment, the method comprises receiving said proximity information from a plurality of devices, and sending discovery control signals to said plurality of devices in order to coordinate discovery of neighboring devices performed by said plurality of devices. According to an embodiment, the method comprises: sending a second discovery control signal to the second device for controlling discovery performed by the first device and the second device for avoiding discovery conflicts. According to an embodiment, said discovery control signal comprises: timing information of discovery of said neighboring devices, such as a time of day, a series of times of time, or a frequency of discovery, for example in order to be able to save energy. According to an embodiment, the proximity information and/or the discovery control signal includes an identification of a discovery channel. According to an embodiment, the proximity information includes: information indicating a distance.

According to a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and a memory comprising computer program code configured to use the at least one processor to cause the apparatus A discovery control signal is received from a control device, and neighboring device discovery is performed based on the discovery control signal.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes computer program code configured to use the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to: send proximity information of discovered neighboring devices to the control device, the The control device is configured to create the discovery control signal based on the proximity information.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and a memory comprising computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus : forming a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices, and sending the discovery control signal to the first device.

According to an embodiment of the third or fourth aspect, the apparatus includes computer program code configured to use the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to: receive proximity information of discovered neighboring devices , and forming the discovery control signal based on the proximity information. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: use the proximity information to form a proximity graph, and use the proximity map to form the Discovery of control signals. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive the proximity information from a plurality of devices, and send the proximity information to the plurality of devices A device sends a discovery control signal to coordinate discovery of neighboring devices performed by the plurality of devices. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: send a second discovery control signal to a second device for controlling the Discovery performed by the first device and the second device for avoiding discovery conflicts. According to an embodiment, said discovery control signal comprises: timing information of said neighboring device discovery, such as for example a time of day, a series of times of time, or a frequency of discovery, eg to be able to save energy. According to an embodiment, the proximity information and/or the discovery control signal includes an identification of a discovery channel. According to an embodiment, the proximity information includes: information indicating a distance.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method, the method comprising: performing neighboring device discovery, providing proximity information of the discovered neighboring devices to a control device for creating a discovery control signal, forming a A discovery control signal controlling discovery of neighboring devices, providing the discovery control signal to the first device, and performing neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises forming a proximity map using the proximity information, and forming the discovery control signal using the proximity map. According to an embodiment, the method comprises forming said proximity information for a plurality of devices, and sending a discovery control signal to said plurality of devices in order to coordinate discovery of neighboring devices performed by said plurality of devices. According to an embodiment, the method comprises: sending a discovery control signal to the plurality of devices for controlling discovery performed by the plurality of devices for avoiding discovery collisions. According to an embodiment, said discovery control signal comprises: timing information of said neighboring device discovery, such as for example a time of day, a series of times of time, or a frequency of discovery, eg to be able to save energy.

According to a sixth aspect there is provided a system comprising at least one processor and a memory containing computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the system : Executing neighboring device discovery, providing the neighboring information of the discovered neighboring devices to a control device for creating a discovery control signal, forming a discovery control signal for controlling the discovery of neighboring devices based on the neighboring information, and providing the first device with the the discovery control signal, and perform neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal.

According to an embodiment, the system comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the system to: form a proximity map using the proximity information, and form the proximity map using the Discovery of control signals. According to an embodiment, the system comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the system to: form the proximity information for a plurality of devices, and provide a discovery control signal to The plurality of devices to coordinate neighboring device discovery performed by the plurality of devices. According to an embodiment, the system comprises computer program code configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the system to: provide a discovery control signal to the plurality of devices for controlling Discovery performed by multiple devices to avoid discovery conflicts. According to an embodiment, said discovery control signal comprises: timing information of discovery of said neighboring devices, such as a time of day, a series of times of time, or a frequency of discovery, for example in order to be able to save energy.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for receiving a discovery control signal from a control device, and means for performing neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for sending proximity information of discovered neighboring devices to the control device for creating the discovery control signal based on the proximity information.

According to an eighth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for forming a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices, and means for sending the discovery control signal to a first device.

According to an embodiment of the seventh or eighth aspect, the apparatus includes: means for receiving proximity information of a discovered neighboring device, and means for forming the discovery control signal based on the proximity information. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for forming a proximity map using the proximity information, and means for forming the discovery control signal using the proximity map. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for receiving said proximity information from a plurality of devices, and for sending a discovery control signal to said plurality of devices in order to coordinate discovery of neighboring devices performed by said plurality of devices components. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for sending a second discovery control signal to the second device for controlling discovery performed by the first device and the second device for avoiding discovery conflicts . According to an embodiment, the discovery control signal includes: timing information of the discovery of the neighboring devices, such as a time of day, a sequence of times, or a frequency of discovery, for example to enable energy saving, according to an embodiment, the proximity information and/or the The discovery control signal includes the identifier of the discovery channel. According to an embodiment, the proximity information includes: information indicating a distance.

According to a ninth aspect there is provided a system comprising: means for performing neighboring device discovery, means for providing proximity information of discovered neighboring devices to a control device for creating a discovery control signal, means for forming a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices based on the proximity information, means for providing the discovery control signal to a first device, and means for performing discovery of neighboring devices based on the discovery control signal member.

According to an embodiment, the system comprises means for forming a proximity map using the proximity information, and means for forming the discovery control signal using the proximity map. According to an embodiment, the system comprises means for forming said proximity information for a plurality of devices, and for providing discovery control signals to said plurality of devices in order to coordinate neighboring devices performed by said plurality of devices found components. According to an embodiment, the system comprises means for providing discovery control signals to the plurality of devices for controlling discovery performed by the plurality of devices for avoiding discovery conflicts. According to an embodiment, said discovery control signal comprises: timing information of discovery of said neighboring devices, such as a time of day, a series of times of time, or a frequency of discovery, for example in order to be able to save energy.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program code configured to, when run on at least one processor, When the computer program code is used, the computer program code causes an apparatus or system to: receive a discovery control signal from a control device, and perform neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal.

According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program code configured to: when executed on at least one processor The computer program code, when executed on a computer, causes an apparatus or system to: form a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices, and send the discovery control signal to a first device.

According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program code configured to: when executed on at least one processor When said computer program code is run on said computer program code, said computer program code causes an apparatus or system to: perform neighboring device discovery, provide proximity information of discovered neighboring devices to a control device for creating a discovery control signal, based on said proximity information A discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices is formed, the discovery control signal is provided to a first device, and neighboring device discovery is performed based on the discovery control signal.

According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program code configured to, when executed on at least one processor, When running the computer program code, the computer program code causes an apparatus or system to perform the method according to the first, second or fifth aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided using a control signal from a second device at a first device in controlling discovery of a neighboring third device.

Description of drawings

In the following, various embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1a, 1b and 1c show flowcharts of methods according to example embodiments;

2a and 2b illustrate systems and devices according to example embodiments;

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate example systems for proximity-based services;

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate proximity graphs according to example embodiments;

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a flow diagram for proximity device discovery, according to an example embodiment; and

Fig. 5c shows a flowchart of a system for facilitating discovery of nearby devices, according to an example.

Detailed ways

In the following, several embodiments of the invention will be described in the context of neighbor discovery. Note, however, that the invention is not limited to discoveries. In fact, in any environment where optimization of forming a communication link between devices is required, the different embodiments have wide application.

In the following, various embodiments are explained with reference to systems that exploit the proximity of other devices (eg, shared and multi-role game applications). For example, when an application is launched, that is to say discovery can be performed, the proximity of other devices can be detected. An application may attempt, for example, to create a Bluetooth connection to another device for peer-to-peer communication.

In various embodiments, there may be a proximity service based system where the service is typically a joint action for several devices cooperating based on their proximity, that is, depending on other devices located nearby, Many actions and many services are available.

For example, in a nomadic environment based on devices being in close range of each other, there may be an envisioned smart space concept. In this space, there may not be many fixed devices/services, and as devices move, proximity and connection configurations may change. For such conceived ideas, it may be useful to find out which devices are in close proximity to each other. It is not enough eg to perform service discovery to find all available services that can be connected, it is also necessary to find services/devices eg in the same room or in the same space.

Various embodiments may also be applied to group formation. Many multi-user or collaborative applications and services require the concept of user/device groups. These embodiments can be used for real world based group formation techniques, that is to say find nearby devices/people. Sharing and other collaborative applications are possible with ad hoc groups formed in this way.

Proximity information may be learned by devices that use short-range radio, light, sound, etc. to discover other devices in proximity. Positioning technologies (GPS, indoor positioning) can also be used. Also, some use cases may use additional information besides proximity (distance) - it may be useful to know eg which devices are in the same room so that they can interact with each other. Proximity awareness based on radio signals may lack this information, and other technologies such as audio beacons or light (eg, infrared) may be used.

For some use cases, it may be sufficient for a device to search for nearby devices whenever an app or service is launched. Proximity awareness can be quite slow, eg in the case of Bluetooth it can take tens of seconds depending on the number of devices in proximity. In general, proximity information can always be kept up-to-date for extended use and for faster response. Proximity information may be presented as a graph in which nodes represent devices and edges represent proximity.

In the present invention, it has been noted that there are problems in traditional, simple proximity recognition/discovery methods. For example, several devices may use the same cognitive technology at the same time, and this may disrupt or completely block cognition. For example, if several devices are performing Bluetooth discovery at the same time, the discovery may fail on all devices, ie no device can be found. As another example, it has been noted that two-way cognition may not be necessary: if A is in the proximity of B, it is sufficient for only one of the two devices to perform cognition. That said, it has been noted that the overall discovery function is not optimal.

Figures 1a, 1b and 1c show flowcharts of methods according to example embodiments.

In the device, at stage 110, a discovery control signal may be received from a controlling device, such as a proximity server. At stage 120, the device may perform neighbor device discovery based on the received discovery control signal. That is, the device may receive instructions or commands as to when to perform discovery and how to perform discovery.

In the controlling means, eg a proximity server or another device, in phase 130 a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices may be formed. In stage 140, a discovery control signal may be sent to the device. That is, the proximity server or another device can control when and how the device receiving the discovery control signal performs discovery of other devices.

In the system, in stage 150, neighbor device discovery may be performed. In stage 160, the proximity information of the discovered neighboring devices may be provided to the control device for creating the discovery control signal. At stage 170, a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices may be formed based on the proximity information. At stage 180, a discovery control signal may be provided to one or more devices. In stage 190, the one or more devices may perform neighbor device discovery based on the discovery control signal. That is, proximity information from various devices may be utilized by the proximity server to coordinate how and/or when the various devices perform discovery of other devices. Proximity information may include: direct or indirect distance information. For example, received signal strength (eg in Bluetooth) may be such a measure in the proximity information, or the distance may be calculated/determined by the device and given in the proximity information as such.

In providing proximity services by a proximity server, a device notices that it is within proximity of another device, for example through discovery using short-range radio, and communicates this information to the proximity server, which in turn provides this information for use in Proximity services are used. The system can provide and use proximity information for, eg, proximity gaming between devices, messaging, media streaming, and the like. The proximity information may include: information such as discovered device identification, WiFi access point information, cellular network cell id, and the like. The server can create a proximity graph.

A device may use a number of diverse techniques to discover other devices in proximity and provide this information to a proximity server. A proximity server may store and maintain up-to-date proximity information, for example as a graph or more specifically, a data structure storing connection information (edges) and connection attributes between nodes. Radio-based environmental fingerprinting (eg, RSSI and device identification information) may also be reported to the proximity server. Such fingerprinting information may be collected during normal communication operations, and thus position or local connection related measurements may not be required. The proximity server can combine such fingerprinting information reported by different devices and coordinate local measurements based on this information.

A proximity server may coordinate discovery of devices based on current and past proximity information (eg, a proximity graph). This may allow global optimization for proximity discovery (awareness) to reduce power consumption, discover conflicts, and obtain more accurate proximity information by controlling the use of the wide variety of cognitive techniques available on the device. For example, the server may instruct or control the devices to use a certain discovery technology (WLAN, Bluetooth, acoustic beacons, infrared beacons) and/or a certain power (e.g., radio transmission power, sound volume), and also regulate which device and when the discovery will be performed. Such control or instruction may occur by using discovery control signals, for example sending parameters to the devices on how they perform the discovery, and the devices may then use these parameters. These devices may also modify received parameters or discovery control information.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate systems and devices for controlling discovery according to embodiments. In FIG. 2a, different devices may be connected via a fixed network, such as the Internet or a local area network; or a mobile communication network 220, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a third generation (3G) network, a 3.5 generation (3.5G) network, fourth generation (4G) network, wireless local area network (WLAN), or other current or future networks. The different networks are connected to each other by means of the communication interface 280 . The network includes network elements such as routers and switches (not shown) for processing data, and communication interfaces such as base stations 230 and 231 for providing access to the network to different devices, and base stations 230, 231 , themselves connected to the mobile network 220 via a fixed connection 276 or a wireless connection 277 .

There may be many servers connected to this network, and in the example of Fig. 2a, a server 240 is shown for providing network services for proximity services and controlling proximity discovery, and connected to a fixed network 210, a server 241, which For processing (eg, filtering) proximity data and connecting to the fixed network 210 , and server 242 for providing network services (eg, social networking services) and connecting to the mobile network 220 . Some of the above-mentioned devices, for example computers 240 , 241 , 242 may be such that they form an Internet with communication elements located in the fixed network 210 .

There are also many end devices such as mobile phones and smart phones 251, Internet access devices (Internet tablets) 250, personal computers of various sizes and models 260, televisions and other viewing devices 261, video decoders and players 262 and video camera 263 and other encoders. These devices 250 , 251 , 260 , 261 , 262 and 263 can also consist of several parts. The various devices can communicate via communication connections such as fixed connections 270, 271, 272 and 280 to the Internet, wireless connections 273 to the Internet 210, fixed connections 275 to the mobile network 220 and wireless connections 278, 279 and 282) to the networks 210 and 220. These connections 271-282 may be realized by means of communication interfaces at the respective ends of the communication connection.

Fig. 2b shows an apparatus for controlling discovery of neighboring devices according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 2b, the server 240 contains a memory 245, one or more processors 246, 247, and computer program code 248 located in the memory 245 for implementing eg proximity services functionality. The different servers 241, 242 may contain at least these same elements for utilizing the functionality associated with each server. Similarly, end-user device 251 contains memory 252, at least one processor 253 and 256, and computer program code 254 located in memory 252 for enabling, for example, controlled discovery of neighboring devices. The end-user device may also have one or more cameras 255 and 259 for capturing image data (eg, video). The end user device may also contain one, two or more microphones 257 and 258 for capturing sound. The different end-user devices 250, 260 may contain at least these same elements for utilizing functionality associated with each device. The end-user device may also contain a screen for viewing the graphical user interface. The end-user device and the server may also include various communication modules or communication functions implemented in one module for communicating with other devices or for performing nearby device discovery.

The various end-user devices and servers may take the form of communication devices, or other devices with communication capabilities. For example, these devices can be toys, household products such as kitchen machines, entertainment equipment (TV, music/media equipment) or even parts of buildings, clothes, vehicles, or any other device that can communicate with each other and thus can be controlled discovery.

It should be understood that different embodiments allow different parts to be implemented in different elements. For example, in one user device (such as 250, 251 or 260) or in one server device 240, 241 or 242 or across multiple user devices 250, 251, 260 or across multiple network devices 240, 241, 242, Or across both user equipment 250, 251, 260 and network equipment 240, 241, 242, determining proximity information or processing discovery control signals is fully implemented. For example, proximity information may be formed and stored in one device, proximity discovery may occur in another device, and control of proximity discovery may be implemented in a third device (eg, a server). The relevant software for implementing the functions may reside on one device or be distributed across several devices, as described above, for example so that these devices form a so-called cloud.

Various embodiments can be implemented as software running on mobile devices and optionally on services. A mobile phone may be equipped with at least memory, processor, display, keypad, motion detector software and communication means, such as 2G, 3G, WLAN or others. Different devices may have hardware like a touch screen (single-touch or multi-touch) and means for positioning (like network positioning or a Global Positioning System (GPS) module). There may be various applications on the device, such as calendar applications, contacts applications, maps applications, messaging applications, browser applications, drawing applications, video playback applications, and various other applications for office and/or private use. These devices may have various communication modules for communicating with other devices and discovering nearby devices.

A proximity server may maintain a proximity graph for use in various services. The proximity information can be filtered for various services (eg, a dating service), and this filtering can occur at the proximity server or at another unit. A service server (eg, for an appointment service) can receive notifications from the filtering unit of changes in the device's proximity group and generate the actual service visible to the end user. In various embodiments, proximity discovery of other devices may be controlled and coordinated by, for example, a proximity server or other server.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate example systems for proximity based services.

One system for proximity based services is presented in Figure 3a. As will be explained later in this description, a proximity server PS may coordinate proximity awareness and maintain a proximity map of devices. A joint action/coordinated application in which the devices participate may have preconditions that require that the devices be, for example, 1) in proximity (PS) of each other, 2) "friends", or more precisely they belong to the same social group or their social distance is less than a given threshold (e.g. the human owners are friends/in the same group, they are friends of friends, etc.), and/or 3) in the joint Action/collaboration In applications that are able to perform their roles or roles, for example in an interactive dialog, devices need to be able to communicate with each other.

The social network server SN may provide social network information. The configurator CFR can take information from the SN and PS, and the configurator CFG itself can have information about the capabilities of each device. Combining this information with the preconditions for each action, the configurator CFG can generate a list of possible actions that satisfy the preconditions. Actions are picked from this list of possible actions based on eg some ranking algorithm. The coordinator ORC may be responsible for performing an action by sending control signals to participating devices to perform the role as specified in the action description, e.g. device A has a storage device containing a JPEG image (photo source), device B is a public display ( Sink for JPEG images).

Figure 3b presents a system configuration. The proximity server PS may store discovery data known by devices A, B and C. There may be a two-way connection "CON" between each device and the proximity server, or the transfer of information may be arranged in another way, for example using a packet network. Devices can use a variety of techniques to discover the proximity of other devices, such as Bluetooth discovery, WLAN access point information, cell site information, GPS and other satellite-based location information, various indoor positioning techniques (based on, for example, WLAN, BT) and/or light or sound beacons (a beacon fixed in space or a mobile device acting as a beacon). The proximity server PS can post-process the discovery data.

When a device joins the system, a proximity server can create a representation of the device - eg, a node in a graph. In the simplest form, the server can control each device by sending it a discovery control signal instructing when (or how often) the device should learn its environment to perform discovery, And which technique to use, for example using an instruction with the message "Use power level 3, perform Bluetooth scan periodically every 120 seconds".

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate proximity graphs according to example embodiments.

In Figure 4a, the various nodes are represented by nodes A, B, C, D and E. Device A is in proximity of all other devices B, C, D, and E. Device B is in proximity to device A (mutually), and in proximity to devices C and E. Device C is adjacent to all other devices, and device D is adjacent to devices A and C. Device E is adjacent to devices A, B and C. Note that the proximity of two devices to each other can be discovered by one device, e.g. device A can discover device D, and in case device D does not make any discovery, it can be inferred that device A is also in proximity to device D . That is, proximity can be interpreted as mutual.

In an embodiment, the proximity server PS may coordinate these devices based on current and past proximity map information. Accordingly, proximity information may be stored as a graph as depicted in Figure 4a. An edge of the graph may have, for example, the following information: 1) the distance between devices, estimated from the discovery and expressed, for example, in meters, 2) a timestamp indicating when the proximity data corresponding to the edge was executed Time at discovery and 3) additional proximity data, eg indicating if these devices are in contact (detected eg using NFC), in the same room or in the same building.

In Figure 4b, the same proximity graph as in Figure 4a shows the properties of the proximity connections (edges of the graph). For example, a proximity between devices A and E has attributes of a distance of 0.1 meters, information that these devices are in contact (via NFC), and a timestamp at which the proximity was discovered.

The proximity server PS can also track what capabilities each device has for proximity discovery and the status of each technology. This situation is illustrated in the table below.

In this table, each device (shown here for only device A) may have a list of cognitive (discovery) techniques used to discover neighboring devices. Such technologies, or discovery channels, may be, as shown, for example Bluetooth, GPS, cellular network cell ID, and others. Each discovery channel may have associated status information, such as active, inactive, and connected. For each discovery channel, there may be additional proximity information, such as identifiers of discovered neighboring devices (shown for Bluetooth), or cell identification information. Note that it may be information about the system that no neighboring devices have yet been discovered (found), that is, it can be expected that no device needs to communicate with it. This information can also be stored in the system.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a flowchart for proximity device discovery according to an example embodiment.

In the device, in stage 510 proximity information may be formed comprising information indicative of the distance between the devices. In stage 512, the proximity information may be formed to include the identification of the discovery channel used for discovery. In stage 514, the proximity information of the discovered neighboring devices may be sent to a control device for creating a discovery control signal based on the proximity information. In stage 520, a discovery control signal may be received from the control device. In stage 522 timing information may be extracted from the discovery control signal, for example about the timing at which neighbor discovery will be performed, such as a time of day or a discovery frequency, for example in order to be able to save energy or to be able to avoid discovery conflicts. That is, timing information may include, for example, the next time for performing discovery, a series of times for performing discovery, or other time-related information, such as for use if another device is detected at If discovery or communication is being performed at the same time, the discovery is delayed for a certain time (to avoid conflicts). The device may also modify the received timing eg randomly. In stage 524, the identity of the discovery channel may be extracted from the discovery control signal to determine how the discovery will be performed (which channel to use, eg Bluetooth or WLAN). In stage 526, neighboring device discovery based on the discovery control signal may be performed.

In a controlling device, such as a proximity server, in stage 530 proximity information of discovered neighboring devices may be received from a plurality of devices (one or more devices). In stage 532, the proximity information may be processed to extract information indicative of the distance between the devices. In stage 534, the neighbor information may be processed to extract the identity of the discovery channel used in the discovery. In stage 536, the proximity information may be used to form a proximity map. For example, the proximity map can be updated with new information, and previous proximity map information can be stored as historical data. If a previous neighbor graph does not exist, a new neighbor graph can be formed. The formation and updating of the neighborhood graph may utilize techniques for generating networks, for example, to traverse the graph starting from a node using, for example, depth-first or breadth-first traversal. In stage 538, a discovery control signal for controlling discovery of neighboring devices based on the proximity graph may be formed. In stage 540, timing information may be formed into the discovery control signal about the timing of discovery of neighboring devices, such as time of day or frequency of discovery, for example to enable saving energy. In stage 542, an identification of the discovery channel to be used may be formed into the discovery control signal. In stage 544, a discovery control signal may be sent to one or more devices for controlling discovery by these devices in a coordinated manner for avoiding discovery conflicts.

Fig. 5c shows a flow diagram for a system that facilitates discovery of nearby devices according to an example.

In stage 550, neighbor device discovery may be performed. In stage 552, the proximity information of the discovered neighboring devices may be provided to the control device for creating the discovery control signal. In stage 554, the neighborhood information may be used to form a neighborhood graph. In stage 556, control signals for controlling discovery of neighboring devices based on the proximity map may be formed. In stage 558, the discovery control signal may be made to include information about the timing of discovery of neighboring devices, such as time of day or frequency of discovery, eg in order to be able to save energy. In stage 560, a discovery control signal may be provided to a plurality of devices in order to coordinate neighboring device discovery. In stage 562, neighboring device discovery may be performed based on the discovery control signal in a coordinated manner. In stage 564, discovery performed by the plurality of devices may be controlled for avoiding discovery collisions.

In an example, the server may obtain proximity information from the first device, for example, the proximity information includes information that the second device is nearby and has been discovered at a certain moment. The server can then control future discovery actions of the first device, and the server can also control discovery actions of the second device, even if the second device has not yet sent proximity information to the server. That is, proximity information, no matter where it is obtained, can be used to control nearby device discovery by any device, regardless of whether the device has sent proximity information to the server.

A proximity server PS may perform and/or provide the following functions: coordination of proximity discovery/awareness, maintaining time-to-live information of edges, building and maintaining connection graphs, avoiding concurrent discovery and coordinating beacon/observer functions. These functions are described below.

The proximity server PS can control which devices perform the discovery and by which technique and at which time the discovery is performed. The proximity server PS can control each discovery action or order periodic discovery separately. The device can report the status of its cognitive technology to the server. For example, if GPS positioning is used for some other application, and thus its status is "active", the proximity server PS can instruct the device to periodically send GPS position, since the GPS has been activated.

Each edge in the proximity graph that represents proximity between two devices may have a timestamp value indicating when the proximity awareness was performed. This timestamp can be updated when new cognitive information becomes available. Various techniques can be used to recognize this proximity, for example initial edges in the graph can be created based on NFC (Near Field Communication) contact gestures, and edge timestamps can be updated based on Bluetooth discovery. In this case, proximity distances and additional proximity data can also be updated. Alternatively or additionally, this timestamp may be specific to the discovery channel, ie not only specific to the edge.

In conventional solutions, building and updating the proximity graph would be expensive: for example, all devices need to periodically discover their environment in order to get a complete proximity graph.

Various embodiments may mitigate this problem by using proximity information to control proximity discovery, for example by exploiting characteristics of different radio technologies. For example, it is relatively safe to have two devices listening to different cellular base stations simultaneously use Bluetooth to discover their environment - the discovery information will not interfere with each other (will not cause collisions) due to Bluetooth's short range. Therefore, devices listening to the same Wi-Fi (WLAN) access point are likely to be relatively close to each other. If a sufficient number of edges have been found in the local area according to one discovery channel (eg, same Wi-Fi access point area), the learning interval can be extended or completely suspended for some devices. That is, if it can be deduced from a discovery channel information that devices are likely to be closer to each other, these devices may be provided with discovery control signals in order to limit their discovery and thereby avoid discovery collisions.

If devices A, B and C are in proximity to each other, the proximity server PS may instruct these devices to perform discovery so that their individual learning periods do not overlap and thus not block/disrupt the learning. This can provide the advantage that discovery is more successful than without such coordination.

The proximity server PS may order device A to function as a beacon (for example, by transmitting audio or infrared), and order devices B and C to listen to the beacon. The proximity server PS can select any device that should participate in this operation, in particular testing whether devices known to be in proximity (based on some other cognitive technology, eg Bluetooth) are actually eg in the same room. What Bluetooth can indicate is that the devices are close to each other, but if they cannot observe the beacon, it is certain that they are not in the same room.

Various embodiments may provide several advantages. Coordinating this discovery can reduce failed proximity cognitions caused by undesired concurrent cognitions. Discovery control may also enable efficient use of device resources, such as saving battery. Controlling the use of various discovery techniques (eg, the use of several different techniques for discovery), embodiments may provide additional information (eg, which devices are in the same room). This can happen by controlling the cognitive technology used, for example by coordinating audio beacon and observer behavior, together with discovery using radio channels.

Various embodiments of the invention can be implemented by means of computer program code residing in a memory and causing associated apparatus to implement the invention. For example, a device may contain circuits and electronics for processing, receiving and transmitting data, computer program code in memory, and a processor which, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to Implement the features of the embodiments. Still further, a network device may include circuits and electronics for processing, receiving, and transmitting data, computer program code in memory, and a processor that, when said processor executes the computer program code, causes A network device implements features of an embodiment.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to only the embodiments presented above but that it can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (50)

1. a method, comprising:

-receive discovery control signal from control appliance,

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

2. method according to claim 1, described method comprises:

-neighbor information of the nearby device be found is sent to described control appliance, described control appliance is used for creating described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

3. a method, comprising:

-form the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device,

-send described discovery control signal to the first equipment.

4. method according to claim 3, described method comprises:

The neighbor information of the nearby device that-reception is found,

-form described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

5. method according to claim 4, described method comprises:

-use described neighbor information to form neighborhood graph,

-use described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

6. the method according to any one in claim 3 to 5, described method comprises:

-receive described neighbor information from multiple equipment, and

-send discovery control signal so that the nearby device coordinating to be performed by described multiple equipment finds to described multiple equipment.

7. the method according to any one in claim 3 to 6, described method comprises:

-find that control signal sends to the second equipment for the discovery controlling to be performed by described first equipment and described second equipment by second, find conflict for avoiding.

8. the method according to any one in claim 1 to 7, wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

9. the method according to any one in claim 1 to 8, wherein said neighbor information and/or described discovery control signal comprise the mark finding channel.

10. the method according to any one in claim 1 to 9, wherein said neighbor information comprises: the information of instruction distance.

11. 1 kinds of devices, described device comprises at least one processor and comprises the memory of computer program code, and described memory and described computer program code are configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-receive discovery control signal from control appliance,

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

12. devices according to claim 11, described device also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-neighbor information of the nearby device be found is sent to described control appliance, described control appliance is used for creating described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

13. 1 kinds of devices, described device comprises at least one processor and comprises the memory of computer program code, and described memory and described computer program code are configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-form the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device,

-send described discovery control signal to the first equipment.

14. devices according to claim 13, described device also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

The neighbor information of the nearby device that-reception is found,

-form described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

15. devices according to claim 14, described device also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-use described neighbor information to form neighborhood graph,

-use described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

16. according to claim 13 to the device described in any one in 15, and described device also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-receive described neighbor information from multiple equipment, and

-send discovery control signal so that the nearby device coordinating to be performed by described multiple equipment finds to described multiple equipment.

17. according to claim 13 to the device described in any one in 16, and described device also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described device is performed at least:

-find that control signal sends to the second equipment for the discovery controlling to be performed by described first equipment and described second equipment by second, find conflict for avoiding.

18. according to claim 11 to the device described in any one in 17, and wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

19. according to claim 11 to the device described in any one in 18, and wherein said neighbor information and/or described discovery control signal comprise the mark finding channel.

20. according to claim 11 to the device described in any one in 19, and wherein said neighbor information comprises: the information of instruction distance.

21. 1 kinds of methods, comprising:

-perform nearby device to find,

-neighbor information of the nearby device be found is supplied to for creating the control appliance finding control signal,

-the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device is formed based on described neighbor information,

-provide described discovery control signal to the first equipment, and

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

22. methods according to claim 21, described method comprises:

-use described neighbor information to form neighborhood graph,

-use described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

23. methods according to claim 21 or 22, described method comprises:

-form described neighbor information for multiple equipment, and

-will find that control signal sends to described multiple equipment so that the nearby device coordinating to be performed by described multiple equipment finds.

24. methods according to claim 23, described method comprises:

-will find that control signal sends to described multiple equipment to find conflict for the discovery controlling to be performed by described multiple equipment for avoiding.

25. methods according to any one in claim 21 to 24, wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

26. 1 kinds of systems, described system comprises at least one processor, comprises the memory of computer program code, and described memory and described computer program code are configured to use at least one processor described that described system is performed at least:

-perform nearby device to find,

-neighbor information of the nearby device be found is supplied to for creating the control appliance finding control signal,

-the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device is formed based on described neighbor information,

-provide described discovery control signal to the first equipment, and

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

27. systems according to claim 26, described system also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described system is performed at least:

-use described neighbor information to form neighborhood graph,

-use described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

28. systems according to claim 26 or 27, described system also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described system is performed at least:

-form described neighbor information for multiple equipment, and

-will find that control signal is supplied to described multiple equipment so that the nearby device coordinating to be performed by described multiple equipment finds.

29. systems according to claim 28, described system also comprises computer program code, and described computer program code is configured to use at least one processor described that described system is performed at least:

-by finding that control signal is supplied to described multiple equipment for the discovery controlling to be performed by described multiple equipment, find conflict for avoiding.

30. systems according to any one in claim 26 to 29, wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

31. 1 kinds of devices, comprising:

-for receiving the component of the discovery control signal from control appliance,

-for performing the component that nearby device finds based on described discovery control signal.

32. devices according to claim 31, also comprise:

-for the neighbor information of the nearby device be found being sent to the component of described control appliance, described control appliance is used for creating described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

33. 1 kinds of devices, comprising:

-for the formation of the component for controlling the discovery control signal that nearby device finds,

-for sending the component of described discovery control signal to the first equipment.

34. devices according to claim 33, also comprise:

-for receiving the component of the neighbor information of the nearby device be found,

-for forming the component of described discovery control signal based on described neighbor information.

35. devices according to claim 34, also comprise:

-for using the component of described neighbor information formation neighborhood graph,

-component for using described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

36. devices according to any one in claim 33 to 35, also comprise:

-for receiving the component of the described neighbor information from multiple equipment, and

-find control signal to coordinate the component of the nearby device discovery performed by described multiple equipment for sending to described multiple equipment.

37. devices according to any one in claim 33 to 36, also comprise:

-for finding that by second control signal sends to the second equipment for the discovery controlling to be performed by described first equipment and described second equipment, for avoiding the component finding conflict.

38. devices according to any one in claim 31 to 37, wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

39. devices according to any one in claim 31 to 38, wherein said neighbor information and/or described discovery control signal comprise the mark finding channel.

40. devices according to any one in claim 31 to 39, wherein said neighbor information comprises: the information of instruction distance.

41. 1 kinds of systems, comprising:

-for performing the component that nearby device finds,

-for the neighbor information of the nearby device be found being supplied to the component for creating the control appliance finding control signal,

-for forming the component for controlling the discovery control signal that nearby device finds based on described neighbor information,

-for providing the component of described discovery control signal to the first equipment, and

-for performing the component that nearby device finds based on described discovery control signal.

42. systems according to claim 41, also comprise:

-for using the component of described neighbor information formation neighborhood graph,

-component for using described neighborhood graph to form described discovery control signal.

43. systems according to claim 41 or 42, also comprise:

-for the formation of the component of the described neighbor information for multiple equipment, and

-for finding that control signal is supplied to described multiple equipment to coordinate the component of the nearby device discovery performed by described multiple equipment.

44. systems according to claim 43, also comprise:

For finding that control signal is supplied to described multiple equipment for the discovery controlling to be performed by described multiple equipment, for avoiding the component finding conflict.

45. systems according to any one in claim 41 to 44, wherein said discovery control signal comprises: the timing information that described nearby device finds, such as moment, a series of moment, or finds frequency, such as, can save energy.

46. 1 kinds of computer programs be embodied on the computer-readable medium of non-transience, described computer program comprises computer program code, described computer program code is configured to when running described computer program code at least one processor, and described computer program code makes device or system:

-receive discovery control signal from control appliance,

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

47. 1 kinds of computer programs be embodied on the computer-readable medium of non-transience, described computer program comprises computer program code, described computer program code is configured to when running described computer program code at least one processor, and described computer program code makes device or system:

-form the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device,

-send described discovery control signal to the first equipment.

48. 1 kinds of computer programs be embodied on the computer-readable medium of non-transience, described computer program comprises computer program code, described computer program code is configured to when running described computer program code at least one processor, and described computer program code makes device or system:

-perform nearby device to find,

-neighbor information of the nearby device be found is supplied to for creating the control appliance finding control signal,

-the discovery control signal found for controlling nearby device is formed based on described neighbor information,

-provide described discovery control signal to the first equipment, and

-perform nearby device based on described discovery control signal to find.

49. 1 kinds of computer programs be embodied on the computer-readable medium of non-transience, described computer program comprises computer program code, described computer program code is configured to when running described computer program code at least one processor, and described computer program code makes device or the method for system execution according to any one in claim 1 to 10 or claim 21 to 25.

50. use the control signal from the second equipment in the discovery controlling contiguous 3rd equipment at the first equipment place.